Envelope fastener attaching machine

ABSTRACT

An envelope processing machine includes envelope feed mechanism, a flight conveyor for continuously advancing a succession of envelopes received from the feed mechanism along a predetermined path through the machine, a rotary reinforcing and punching unit for simultaneously adhesively applying a reinforcing patch to the closure flap of each advancing envelope and punching a hole through the patch and the envelope closure flap, a rotary clasp attaching unit which receives a clasp and carries it into penetrating engagement with the panel of an advancing envelope and into clinching engagement with an anvil mechanically inserted into the envelope and advancing therewith, a printing mechanism for imprinting on each advancing envelope, and a delivery unit for collecting the envelopes processed by the machine.

United States Patent Chapman et al.

July s, 1975 MACHINE [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

ENVELOPE FASTENER ATTACHING Inventors: William A. Chapman, Hubbardston;

John J. Crowley, Ware, both of Mass.

United States Envelope Company,

Springfield, Mass.

Nov. 7, 1973 Appl. No.1 413,699

Primary ExaminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney,Agent, or Firm-McCormick, Paulding & Huber 5 7 1 ABSTRACT An envelopeprocessing machine includes envelope feed mechanism, a flight conveyorfor continuously advancing a succession of envelopes received from thefeed mechanism along a predetermined path through the machine, a rotaryreinforcing and punching unit for simultaneously adhesively applying areinforcing patch to the closure flap of each advancing envelope andpunching a hole through the patch and the envelope closure flap, arotary clasp attaching unit which receives a clasp and carries it intopenetrating engagement with the panel of an advancing envelope and intoclinching engagement with an anvil mechanically inserted into theenvelope and advancing therewith, a printing mechanism for imprinting oneach advancing envelope, and a delivery unit for collecting theenvelopes processed by the machine.

34 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures P A TENTEI JUL 8 ms SHEET FIG. l2

ENVELOPE FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates in general to envelope making machinery and deals moreparticularly with an improved machine for attaching a closure flapfastener to an envelope. The fastener attached by the aforesaid machinecomprises a clasp anchored by clinched prongs to one panel of anenvelope and having bendable tabs which extend through an aperture inthe envelope closure flap when the flap is closed to releasably retainthe flap in closed position. The machine of the present invention mayalso include apparatus for applying a reinforcing patch to the envelopeclosure flap and for punching a hole through the patch and the closureflap to receive the bendable tabs on the associated clasp.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improvedhigh-speed attaching machine of the aforedescribed general type forattaching a closure fastener to the envelope while the envelope iscontinuously advancing through the machine. A further aim of the presentinvention is to provide apparatus particularly suitable for in-lineoperation with other envelope making or processing apparatus to applyclosure fasteners to envelopes received from the other apparatus atspeed comparable to the maximum speeds attainable by the otherapparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention,apparatus is provided which includes means for receiving an envelope andcontinuously advancing it along a predetermined path. a clasp attachingunit which includes a prong clenching anvil, means for positioning theanvil in engagement with one panel of the advancing envelope and foradvancing envelope and for advancing the anvil along at least a portionof the envelope path in engagement with the advancing envelope, a claspattaching element supported for movement relative to the anvil forreceiving a clasp which has attaching prongs thereon, and means formoving the attaching element relative to the anvil to move the claspprongs into penetrating engagement with the one panel and clinchingengagement with the anvil whereby to anchor the clasp to the one panelas the envelope continuously moves along its path. The aforesaidapparatus may comprise part of thee machine which also includes areinforcing and punching unit for simultaneously applying a reinforcingpatch to the envelope closure flap and punching a hole through both theflap and the patch as the envelope continuously advances along its paththrough the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view ofan envelope processing machine embodying apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an envelope which includes a fastener of thetype attached by the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a typical envelope clasp.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clasp of FIG. 3 after the prongsthereof have been reformed or bent by the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG.5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 88of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG.1.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line l0l0 ofFIG. 9.

FIG. II is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11-11 ofFIG. 10.

FIG. I2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 12-12 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. I3 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 6, but showsanother clasp attaching wheel embodying the invention.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the attaching wheel of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of the reinforcing andpunching unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line14-14 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to thedrawings and referring first particularly to FIGS. 1-4, an envelopeprocessing machine embodying the present invention and indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. I is particularly adaptedto attach a closure flap fastener to an envelope. An envelope providedwith such a typical fastener is indicated at 12 in FIG. 2. The fastenercomprises a ferromagnetic metal clasp indicated generally at 14,anchored to the envelope back panel, and provided with bendable tabs.The tabs are adapted to be bent to extend through an aperture 16 in theenvelope closure flap when the flap is closed and may be again bent toreleasably retain the closure flap in its closed position. A reinforcingpatch 18 attached or adhered to the envelope closure flap strengthensthe flap in a region surrounding the aperture 16. The clasp 14, shown infurther detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a COLUMBIAN clasp manufactured andmarketed by United States Envelope Company, Springfield, Massachusetts.It is formed from flat metal, has a base portion 20, a pair of bendableretaining tabs 22, 22, and a plurality of attaching prongs 24, 24. Theprongs 24, 24 project from the base portion 20 and are adapted topenetrate at least one thickness of the material from which an envelopeis made and to cooperate in clinching relation with the base 20 toanchor the clasp I4 to the envelope. In the illustrated case (FIG. 2)the clasp 14 is anchored to the envelope 12 by four prongs 24, 24 whichextend through two thicknesses of paper which form a central seamextending along the envelope back panel.

The machine of the present invention is adapted for in-Iine operation;that is, operation in an envelope production line which includes one ormore associated envelope processing machines. However, the illustratedmachine 10 is set up for off-line operation to operate as an independentenvelope processing unit. The envelope processing machine 10 has a frame26 which supports a plurality of individual envelope processing unitsdriven in timed relation by a variable speed motor 28 and includes aconventional envelope feed unit, illustrated somewhat schematically inFIG. I and designated generally by the reference numeral 30. The feedunit may take various forms, however. the presently preferred unit 30comprises a stand-up folded envelope feeder and has vacuum head envelopeseparators (not shown) which positively pull each successive leadenvelope from a stack of envelopes l2, 12 contained in a receivingchute. Envelopes are sequentially fed in backup, open flap condition toa flight chain conveyor 32 which continuously advances each envelopealong a generally predetermined path 34 through machine 10. A claspattaching unit indicated generally at 36 and mounted on the frame 26 inalignment with the path 34 attaches a clasp 14 to the back panel of eachadvancing envelope 12. The illustrated machine also includes areinforcing and punching unit 38 mounted on the frame 26 in alignmentwith the path 34 between the attaching unit 36 and the feed unit 30. Thereinforcing and punching unit applies a reinforcing path 18 to theclosure flap of each envelope and also punches an aperture l6therethrough.

The present envelope processing machine may also include one or moreadditional envelope processing units for performing other processingoperations on an envelope as it advances therethrough. In theillustrated case, the machine 10 has a printing unit designated geneallyby the numeral 40 which includes an ink roll 42 and an impression rollor wheel 44. The latter wheel carries a plate (not shown) for imprintingon the envelope, as for example, for imprinting the name or trademark ofthe manufacturer on the envelope bottom flap as the envelope advancesthrough the machine.

After passing through the printing unit 40, each envelope 12 is conveyedto a conventional delivery unit indicated generally at 46 which includesfeed rolls and a spiral delivery mechanism which delivers envelopes inan upstanding position to a receiving table 48 for uniform accumulation.The machine may also include a counting unit which may, for example,comprise an electronic counter for activating an associated separatingmechanism to group envelopes by accurate count for handling efficiency.

Clasp Attaching Unit The clasp attaching unit comprises an independentmechanism mounted on the frame 26 for lateral adjustment relative to theflight conveyor 32 to position a clasp relative to an associatedenvelope carrier by the conveyor. Clasps l4, l4 successively fed from amagazine or indexing turret 50 move through a forming die which formsthe prongs 24, 24 to proper clasping angle as will be hereinafterfurther described. A clasp 14 with prongs formed thereon is received andreleasably retained by an attaching element or rotary attaching wheel 52which moves the clasp toward the path of the advancing envelope 12. Theattaching wheel 52 moves in timed relation with the moving envelope l2and an anvil 54, best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, which has beenmechanically inserted into the envelope. The clasp prongs 24, 24penetrate the envelope and are clenched to proper holding configurationby cooperation of the attaching wheel 52 and the anvil 54. Thereafterthe anvil 54 is mechanically retracted from the envelope 12 while theenvelope continues to advance along its horizontal path through themachine.

Considering now the clasp attaching unit 36 in further detail andreferring particularly to FIGS. 512, the illustrated unit includes threeprong clinching anvils 54,

54 carried by the pair of transversely spaced anvil chains 56, 56. Thechains 56, 56 are supported on and driven by longitudinally spaced apartsprockets 57, 57 journalled on the frame 26. Vertically adjustable upperand lower chain guide support plates 58, 58 carried by a bracket mountedon the frame 26, as best shown in FIG. 5, carry chain guide tracks 60,60 which guide and support the roller link chains 56, 56. A plurality ofslide holders 62, 62 mounted on the chains 56, 56 extend transverselytherebetween. Each slide holder 62 provides sliding support for anelongated anvil slide 64 which carries an associated anvil 54 at itsfree end. The anvil may comprise an integral part of the anvil slide,but preferably, and as shown, each anvil 54 comprises an insert receivedand retained in an associated recess in the free end of an associatedanvil slide 64. At its other end each anvil slide 64 has a laterallyadjustable cam follower or roller 66. A horizontial cam plate 68 mountedon the frame 26 in general horizontal alignment with the lower runs ofthe chains 56, S6 defines a cam track 70 which receives each rollerfollower 66 therein during a porion of its endless travel. Each follower66 cooperates with the track 70 to move an associated anvil slide 64generally toward and away from the envelope flight conveyor 32 toposition an anvil in engagement with a panel of an associated envelopel2 and to retain it in engagement with the panel as the envelope travelsalong a portion of its path through the machine 10. Additional verticalsupport for the anvil slide holders 62, 62 is provided by a slide holdersupport indicated generally at 72 and best shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. Theslide holder support 72 generally comprises a roller holder 74 supportedbelow and in generally parallel relation to the lower runs of chains 56,56 by a vertically adjustable stanchion 76. A plurality of rollers 78,78 journalled for rotation about transverse axes provide rolling supportfor each slide holder 62 during a portion of its travel, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7. Additional vertical support for the free end of eachanvil slide 64 and the anvil 54 associated therewith is provided by aback-up slide assembly indicated generally at 80 and best shown in FIGS.5 and 12. The slide assembly 80 includes a vertically adjustablestanchion or base 82 mounted on the frame 26 which carriers a pluralityparallel 84, 84 supported for rotation about transverse axes. The latterrollers support a back-up slide 86 for limited travel in one and anopposite direction parallel to the direction of evelope advance alongthe path 34. The back-up slide 86 is spring biased in a directionopposite to the direction of envelope travel to a first positionindicated by full lines in FIG. 12 and is movable toward a second orbroken line position in engagement with an associated envelope as theenvelope advances through the attaching unit 36 in the directionindicated by the arrow in FIG. 12, as will be hereinafter furtherdiscussed.

The clasping or attaching wheel 52 comprises a generally circular discsupported for rotation about a transverse axis above and in verticalalignment with the back-up support slide assembly 80. More specifically,the attaching wheel 52 is supported for rotation by a shaft 90journalled on a pair of transversely spaced support plates 92, 92 (oneshown). The latter plates are supported for transverse adjustmentrelative to the machine frame 26 by a pair of support rods 94, 94 whichextends transversely of the frame, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Apair of permenent magnets 96, 96 are mounted in inserts 97, 97 fastenedin diametrically opposite recesses in the attaching wheel 52, as bestshown in FIG. 6. Each of the inserts defines a substantially flatperipheral surface portion of the wheel to receive and magneticallyretain an associated ferromagnetic clasp 14 as will be hereinafterfurther discussed. A pair of retractable pins 98, 98 associated witheach magnet 96 are spring biased to a projected position slightly beyondthe peripheral surface of the wheel 52, as shown in FIG. 6. A pivotedcam lever 100 associated with each insert 97 carries a roller follower,and operates to retract the pins upon engagement of the follower with anarcuate cam segment 102 mounted adjacent the attaching wheel 52,substantially as shown in FIG. 6. A spring stripper 104 is fixedlymounted at a 3 o'clock position relative to the attaching wheel 52 as itappears in FIG. 6. The attaching unit 36 further includes a claspalignment device designated generally at 106 which comprises a brush 107mounted adjacent the peripheral surface of the attaching wheel 52 at a 9o'clock position (FIG. 6). The alignment device also includes a pair oflaterally spaced clasp alignment guides 108, 108 (one shown) mountedadjacent the peripheral surface of the wheel.

Considering now the apparatus for feeding clasps to the attaching wheel,the magazine 50, best shown in FIG. 1, is supported for rotation about avertical axis and has 12 index stations for containing clasps 14, 14arranged in vertically stacked relation therein. The magazine 50 isreleasably retained on a support turret and may be removed therefrom bydepressing and turning a handwheel 109 at the top of the magazine torelease a bayonet connection (not shown) which secures the magazine tothe support turret therebelow. The magazine 50 is arranged tocommunicate with a reserve chute 110 (FIGS. 10 and 11) locatedtherebelow and is further arranged to index so that each of the 12 feedstations thereof may be successively positioned above and in verticalalignment with the reserve chute 110 to feed clasps thereinto. A fluidcylinder 112, FIG. 1, which operates a ratchet and pawl mechanism (notshown) indexes the magazine about is vertical axis. A fiber opticsensing device 114 associated with the reserve chute 110 controls theoperation of the fluid cylinder 112 to index the magazine 50. Thereserve chut 110 commuicates with a horizontal feed track 116 (FIGS. 9and 10) which extends in the diection of the attaching wheel 52 andterminates immediately thereabove. Each clasp 14 is fed from the bottomof the reserve chute 110 to advance along the track 116 by a camoperated push slide mechanism which includes a vacuum holddown and whichis indicated at 117 in FIG. 10. A prong forming mechanism indicatedgenerally at 118, best shown in FIG. 11, and associated with the feedtrack 116, is operated by a rotary cam 120 which drives forming tools122 and 124 to form proper prong angles on each clasp. The clasp feedmechanism further includes a vacuum holder 126 (FIG. 10) at the end ofthe feed track 116 immediately above the attaching wheel 52. The vacuumholder is connected to a vacuum manifold 128 shown in ig. 9.

Envelopes successively fed by the feed unit 30 are received on theflight conveyor 32 in back-up, open flap the mouth of the envelope to anopen position to prepare it to receive an associated prong clinchinganvil 54, which is moving in timed relation with the flight conveyor 32.As the roller follower 66 of the associated anvil slide 64 enters thetrack 70, the anvil slide 64 is driven into the open mouth of theenvelope to position an anvil 54 immediately below and in engagementwith the central seam of the envelope back panel whereupon the camfollower 66 dwells for a portion of its travel to retain the anvil 54 inan operative position in the envelope and in alignment with theperipheral surface of the attaching wheel 52 as the envelope 12continuously advances along its path 34.

Clasps l4, 14 received from the magazine 50 pass downwardly through thereserve chute [I0 and are successively moved into the feed track 116 bythe cam operated push slide 117 and advanced along the track 116 by linepressure. When a clasp l4 enters the forming station 118 the formingtools 122 and 124 operate to form the required prong angles thereon.During each attaching cycle the push slide 117 advances one clasp intothe forming station 118 and another clasp into alignment with the vacuumholder 126 where it is held suspended above the attaching wheel 52.

The attaching wheel rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 6 in timed relation to the movement of an envelope 12 through themachine. When one of the magents 96, 96 reaches its 12 oclock position,the spring projected pins 98, 98 associated therewith engage the formedprongs 24, 24 on the clasp held by the vacuum holder 126 and strip theclasp from the holder whereupon it is drawn into engagement with themagnet 96 and releasably retained thereon. As the attaching wheelrotates in a counterclockwise direction toward its 9 oclock position,the clasp carried by the magnet 96 passes through the alignment device106. The brush 107 engages the projecting prongs 24, 24 to sweep theclasp 14 toward engagement with the pins 98, 98 to assure properalignment therewith. The alignment guides 108, 108 simultaneouslylaterally align the clasp with the attaching wheel 52. As the magnet 96with the clasp 14 held thereon moves toward its 6 oclock position andinto tangential relation with the path 34 an envelope 12 with anassociated anvil therein is moving in timed relation with the attachingwheel. The attaching wheel moves the clasp toward the advancing envelopeand anvil to cause the clasp prongs 24, 24 to penetrate the two layersof paper at the back seam of the envelope l2 and move into clinchingengagement with the anvil whereupon the prongs 24, 24 are clinchedtoward the clasp base 20. During the latter clinching operation, theattaching wheel 52 exerts substantial downward pressure on the anvil S4and its associated anvil holder 64. However, the envelope front panelrests upon the backup support assembly which travels with the advancingenvelope during the clinching operation. Thus, the anvil 54 is supportedduring the clinching operation while risk of damage to the envelopefront panel is avoided. Upon completion of the clinching operation, theanvil 54 is retracted from the envelope by engagement of the follower 66in the track 70. As the magnet 96 further advances in a counterclockwisedirection toward it 3 o'clock position (FIG. 6), the roller follower onthe lever engages the arcuate can segment 102 to retract the pins 98,98. In the event of a malfunction which results in a clasp being carriedthrough and beyond the clinching station by the attaching wheel 52, thestripper I04 functions to strip the damage or defective clasp from theperipheral surface of the attaching wheel to avoid risk of a jam at theclasp feed station. The 12 station magazine assures continuous supply ofclasps to the machine 10. The fiber optic sensing device I14 detectsdepletion or run out of the supply of clasps from an associated magazinestation and provides a signal to actuate the fluid cylinder 112 to indexthe magazine 50 while the machine 10 continues to operate from thesupply of clasps in the reserve chute I10. The releasably retainedmagazine 50 may be removed from the machine I when empty and replaced bya full magazine by simply depressing and turning the release knob 109.Thus, the entire supply of clasps may be replenished while the machinecontinues to operate from the supply of clasps contained in the reservechute 110.

The attaching unit 36 has been illustrated with reference to a COLUMBIANclasp, however, since the anvils 54, 54 comprise inserts, it will not beevident that the anvils 54, 54 may be removed and replaced with otheranvils adapted to other prong configurations so that the machine may bereadily converted to attach clasps supplied by other manufactures.

The machine has been illustrated with reference to the clasp 14 which ismade from ferromagnetic material. However, it may sometimes be desirableto provide a machine for attaching a clasp made from a nonmagneticmaterial. Referring now to FIGS. 13 and I4, another embodiment of theinvention is illustrated for attaching a nonmagnetic clasp and includesan attaching wheel 52a. The attaching wheel 52a is similar in mostrespects to the wheel 52 previously described, however, it does not havemagnets corresponding to the magents 96, 96. Instead, at least onevacuum port 130 is provided which communicates with the peripheralsurface of the wheel 52a to releasably retain a clasp thereon. In theillustrated case, three such vacuum ports are shown for connection to asuitable vacuum source such as the vacuum manifold 128, FIG. 9.

Reinforcing and Punching Unit Refering now to FIGS. 15 and 16 andconsidering the reinforcing and punching unit 38 in further detail, thelatter unit is mounted on the frame 26 for lateral adjustment relativethereto and comprises upper and lower applicator wheels I32 and I34respectively mounted on shafts I36 and 138 journalled in a transmissionhousing 140, which contains a suitable lubricant. The lower applicatorwheel 134 is positioned below and generally tangent the path 34 and hasa punch I42 mounted in its periphery. The shaft 138 which drives thelower applicator wheel 134 extends from the rear of the transmissionhousing 140 and has a coaxial sleeve 144 received and releasablyretained thereon for angular adjustment relative thereto. A drive pulley146 carried by the sleeve 144 and axially adjustable thereon is drivenby a timing belt 148 connected through a drive train to the motor 28, asshown in FIG. 1.

The upper applicator wheel 132 is mounted above and in general alignmentwith the lower wheel 134 and generally tangent the path 34 and carries adie 150 which cooperates in working relation with the punch 142. Apassageway 152 formed in the upper applicator wheel 132 opens throughthe face of the wheel to provide a path for discharging scrap materialpunched from the envelope closure flap and patch 18 in forming theaperture 16. A plurality of radially extending vacuum ports 154, 154open through the peripheral surface of the upper applicator wheel 132and communicate with an arcuate vacuum chamber 156 formed in the wheel.The vacuum chamber is connected with a suitable vacuum source.Additional vacuum ports I58, I58 formed in the die open through theperipheral surface thereof and also communicate with the vacuum chamberin the wheel. The upper applicator wheel 132 is driven in timed relationwith the lower wheel I34 by a spur gear I60 disposed within thetransmission case and in meshing engagement with another spur gear I62mounted on the lower shaft I38.

Patch material is preferably fed to the applicator wheels from anelongated web or strip of tap I62 carried by a dispensing reel 164mounted on the transmission housing 140. preferably, and as shown, thepatch material comprises pre-gummed tape which has one surface thereofcoated with a contact adhesive. The tape 162 is fed from the reel 164over an idler roll I66 journalled on the transmission housing and isadvanced by a feed roll I68. The latter roll has a serrated peripheralsurface for minimal surface contact with the pregummed surface of thetape 162. The feed roll 168 is carried by a shaft 170 journalled in thetransmission housing 140. A spur gear 172 mounted on the shaft 170within the transmission housing meshingly engages a pinion 1'74 mountedon the shaft 136. The reinforcing and punching mechanism furtherincludes a shear or rotary cutter 176 which cooperates in shearingengagement with the upper applicator wheel 132 to sever a patch such as18 from the tape I62. The rotary cutter 176 is journalled on a shaft(not shown) parallel to the shafts 136 and 138 and driven in timedrelation with the upper and lower applicator wheels by an associatedgear train (not shown) disposed within the transmission housing 140.

Preferably, and as shown, the reinforcing and punching unit 38 alsoincludes a pressure applicator mechanism indicated generally at 178 forpressing the patch 18 into engagement with the closure flap of anenvelope 12 as the envelope advances along its path 34. The pressureapplicator mechanism includes a drive roll 180 generally tangent to thepath 34, mounted therebelow and driven by an associated gear train (notshown) located within the transmission housing 140. An adjustablepressure roll 182 is mounted above the drive roll 180 and in pressingengagement therewith.

Each envelope 12 received from the feed unit 30 is conveyed through thereinforcing and punching mechanism 38 in an open flap condition with theclosure flap longitudinally aligned with the applicator wheels I32 andI34 to pass therebetween as the envelope 12 advances along itspredetermined path 34. The peripheral speed of the applicator wheels I32and 134 is substanially equal to the linear speed of an envelope 12 asit is conveyed along its path 34. However, the linear speed of the tape162 advanced by the feed wheel 168 is substantially less than theperipheral speed of the upper applicator wheel. The leading end portionof the tape 162 is held in engagement with the peripheral surface of theapplicator wheel 132 by vacuum at the ports 154, 154. Since theperipheral speed of the applicator wheel 132 is somewhat greater thanthe linear speed of the advancing tape, the applicator wheel 132 slipswith respect to the tape 162. The upper applicator roll I32 rotates in aclockwise direction as it appears in FIG. IS.

As the die insert 150 passes the rotary cutter 176, the cutter. which isrotating in a counterclockwise direction, shears a path 18 of desiredlength from the leading end portion of the tape [62. The severed patch16 is held on the peripheral surface of the die 150 by vacuum at theports 158, 158 and advances with the die 150 at a speed equal to thelinear speed of an advancing envelope 12. As the patch 18 carried by thedie 1S0 passes through the midpoint between the upper and lowerapplicator rolls, the contact adhesive on the surface of the patchadheres it to the envelope closure flap. An adjustable vacuum cut-off184 is provided to interrupt the vacuum at the ports 158, 158 as thepatch passes between the upper and lower applicator rolls. The punch 142and die 150 simultaneously operate to punch the aperture 16 through thepatch l8 and through the envelope closure flap which is centeredrelative to the punch and die as the latter move into cooperatingrelation. Thereafter, the envelope 12 continues to advance along itspath and through the pressure applicator mechanism 178 which presses thepatch into engagement with the closure flap to assure proper adherencethereto.

We claim:

1. A machine for attaching a fastener including a clasp having a baseand a plurality of attaching prongs to an envelope, said machinecomprising means for continuously advancing an envelope along agenerally predetermined path and a clasp attaching unit mounted in saidpath and including a prong clinching anvil, means for positioning saidanvil in engagement with one panel of the continuously advancingenvelope and for continuously advancing said anvil along at least aportion of said path in engagement with the one panel, a clasp attachingelement supported for movement relative to said anvil, means forreleasably retaining a clasp on said attaching element, and means formoving said attaching element relative to said anvil to move saidretaining means with the clasp retained thereon toward said anvil andgenerally along a portion of said path with the continuously advancingenvelope and anvil while said anvil is positioned in engagement with theone panel to cause the prongs of the clasp to penetrate the one paneland clinchingly engage the anvil whereby to attach the clasp to the onepanel by cooperation of the base and prongs thereof while the envelopeis in motion.

2. A machine for attaching a fastener to an envelope as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the one panel comprises a body panel of the envelope andsaid means for positioning said anvil comprises means for inserting saidanvil into the envelope and retaining it therein for continuous travelfor some distance along said predetermined path with the advancingenvelope.

3. A machine for attaching a fastener to an envelope as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said means for inserting said anvil includes means forconveying said anvil along another path generally parallel to saidpredetermined path.

4. A machine for attaching a fastener to an envelope as set forth inclaim 3 wherein said means for inserting said anvil includes cammingmechanism associated with said anvil and said anvil conveying means.

5. A machine for attaching a fastener to an envelope as set forth inclaim 4 wherein said anvil is supported for movement relative to saidanvil conveying means and said camming mechanism includes a cam mountedin fixed position relative to said anvil conveying means and a followerassociated with said anvil for engaging said cam to move said anvilrelative to said anvil conveying means as said anvil is moved by thelatter means.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said anvil positioningmeans includes an anvil carrier supported by said anvil conveying meansfor movement relative thereto and generally transversely of said otherpath and said anvil is associated with a free end portion of said anvilcarrier.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said anvil comprises aninsert releasably retained in said free end portion of said anvilcarrier.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said clasp attaching unitincludes anvil supporting means disposed at the opposite side of saidanvil from said attaching element for supporting said free end portionwhile said attaching element forces the prongs through the associatedpanel and into clenching engagement with said anvil.

9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said anvil supporting meansis supported from movement with said anvil and along said envelope pathwhile said attaching element forces the prongs through the associatedpanel and into clenching engagement with said anvil.

10. A machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said anvil supportingmeans comprises a roller support mechanism.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clasp attachingelement comprises a rotary member supported for rotation about an axisextending transversely of the direction of said envelope path.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for feeding aclasp to said attaching element.

13. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for feeding aclasp comprises a feed track for successively feeding clasps to saidattaching element, a reserve chute for containing a supply of clasps andcommunicating with said feed track to supply clasps thereto, a rotarymagazine supported above said reserve chute and having a plurality, offeed stations for containing clasps, and means for coaxially indexingsaid magazine to successively position each of said feed stations aboveand in alignment with said reserve chute to supply clasps thereto.

14. A machine as set forth in claim 13 including sensing means fordetecting depletion of the supply of clasps from an associated indexstation, and means responsive to said sensing means for indexing saidmagazine.

15. A machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for aligning theclasp in predetermined position with said attaching element as saidattaching element moves relative to said anvil.

16. A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for aligningthe clasp comprises a brush supported to engage the clasp as it moveswith said clasp attaching element and toward the one panel.

17. A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said attaching elementcomprises an attaching wheel and said means for aligning the claspcomprises a pair of transversely spaced alignment guides mounted atopposite sides of the attaching wheel near the peripheral surfacethereof.

18. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clasp has at least oneretaining tab thereon and the envelope has a closure panel foldable to aclosed position overlying an associated portion of the one panel and theclasp attached to the one panel, said machine having a reinforcing andpunching unit mounted thereon in said predetermined path and includingmeans for applying a patch of reinforcing material to the closure panelas the envelope is continuously advanced along said predetermined pathby said advancing means, and punching means for forming a retaining tabreceiving hole through the reinforcing patch and the one panel as theenvelope is continuously advanced along said predetermined path by saidadvancing means.

19. A machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein said means for applyingsaid patch comprises said punching means.

20. A machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein said means for applying apatch comprises a pair of applicator wheels generally tangent to saidpredetermined path and journalled for rotation about parallel axesextending transversely of said path.

21. A machine as set forth in claim 20 wherein said pair includes alower applicator wheel and an upper applicator wheel supported abovesaid lower wheel and in general vertical alignment therewith.

22. A machine as set forth in claim 21 wherein said punching meansincludes a punch mounted on one of said applicator wheels and a die formating engagement with said punch and mounted on the other of saidapplicator wheels.

23. A machine for attaching a fastener including a clasp having a baseand a plurality of attaching prongs to an envelope, said machinecomprising means for continuously advancing an envelope along agenerally predetermined path, and a clasp attaching unit mounted in saidpath and including a prong clinching anvil, means for positioning saidanvil in engagement with one panel of the advancing envelope and foradvancing said anvil along at least a portion of said path in engagementwith the one panel, a rotary clasp attaching member supported forrotation about an axis extending transversly of the direction of saidenvelope path, means for releasably retaining a clasp on the peripheralsurface of said attaching member with the groups of the clasp projectinggenerally radially outwardly from said attaching member, and means formoving said attaching member relative to said anvil to move saidretaining means with the clasp retained thereon toward said anvil andgenerally along a portion of said path with the envelope and said anvilwhile said anvil is positioned in engagement and advancing with the onepanel to cause the prongs of the clasp to penetrate the one panel andclinchingly engage the anvil whereby to attach the clasp to the onepanel by cooperation of the base and prongs thereof.

24. A machine as set forth in claim 23 wherein said clasp is comprisedof magnetic material and said means for releasably retaining said claspis further characterized as magnetic means.

25. A machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein said magnetic meanscomprises a permanent magnet mounted in the periphery of said disc.

26. A machine for attaching a fastener including a clasp having a baseand a plurality of attaching prongs to an envelope, said machinecomprising means for continuously advancing an envelope along agenerally predetermined path, and a clasp attaching unit mounted in saidpath and including a prong clinching anvil, means for positioning saidanvil in engagement with one panel of the advancing envelope and foradvancing said anvil along at least a portion of said path in engagementwith the one panel, a clasp attaching element supported for movementrelative to said anvil, means for releasably retaining a clasp on saidattaching element, means for feeding a clasp to said attaching element,said feeding means receiving the clasp with the prongs and the basethereof disposed in a common plane and including means for bending eachof the prongs to a position generally normal to the base thereof beforefeeding the clasp to said attaching element, and means for moving saidattaching element rel ative to said anvil to move said retaining meanswith the clasp retained thereon toward said anvil and generally along aportion of said path with the envelope and said anvil while said anvilis positioned in engagement and advancing with the one panel to causethe prongs of the clasp to penetrate the one panel and clinchinglyengage the anvil whereby to attach the clasp to the one panel bycooperation of the base and prongs thereof.

27. A machine as set forth in claim 26 wherein said clasp attachingelement includes means for transferring the clasp from said feedingmeans to said receiving and releasably retaining means as said claspattaching means moves relative to said feeding means.

28. A machine as set forth in claim 27 wherein said transferring meanscomprises pin means carried by said clasp attaching element for engagingthe clasp to strip it from said feeding means as said attaching elementmoves relative to said feeding means.

29. A machine for attaching a fastener including a clasp and areinforcing patch to an envelope, the patch being cut from an elongatedstrip of reinforcing material, the envelope having body panels and aclosure panel foldable to a closed position overlying an associatedportion of one of the body panels, the clasp having a base, a pluralityof attaching prongs and at least one retaining tab, said machinecomprising means for continuously advancing an envelope along agenerally predetermined path, a clasp attaching unit mounted in saidpath and including a prong clinching anvil, means for positioning saidanvil in engagement with the one body panel of the advancing envelopeand for advancing said anvil along at least a portion of said path inengagement with the one panel, a clasp attaching element supported formovement relative to said anvil, means for releasably retaining a claspon said attaching element, means for moving said attaching elementrelative to said anvil to move said retaining means with the claspretained thereon toward said anvil and generally along a portion of saidpath with the envelope and said anvil while said anvil is positioned inengagement and advancing with the one panel to cause the prongs of theclasp to penetrate the one panel and clinchingly engage the anvilwhereby to attach the clasp to the one panel by cooperation of the baseand prongs thereof, and a reinforcing and punching unit for applying thepatch to the closure panel and forming a tab retaining hole through thepatch and the closure panel as the envelope is continuously advancedalong said predetermined path by said advancing means and including oneapplicator wheel journalled for rotation about an axis extendingtransversely of said path and generally tangent to said path, saidreinforcing and punching unit including means for feeding a leading endportion of the strip onto said one applicator wheel, means forreleasably retaining the leading end portion on said one applicatorwheel, and means for serving the patch from the leading end portion assaid one applicator wheel rotates about its axis and relative to saidpath, said reinforcing and punching unit including punching means forforming the tab retaining hole.

30. A machine as set forth in claim 29 wherein said means for releasablyretaining said leading end portion comprises vacuum means.

31. A machine as set forth in claim 29 wherein said feed means comprisesmeans for feeding said leading end portion onto the peripheral surfaceof said one wheel at a linear speed substantially less than theperipheral speed of said one wheel.

32. A machine as set forth in claim 31 wherein said peripheral speed issubstantially equal to the linear speed of said advancing means.

33. A machine as set forth in claim 29 wherein said severing meanscomprises a rotary cutter journalled for rotation about an axis parallelto the axis of said one wheel to cooperate in shearing engagement withsaid one wheel.

34. A machine for attaching a fastener including a clasp having a baseand a plurality of attaching prongs to an envelope, said machinecomprising means for continuously advancing an envelope along agenerally predetermined path, and a clasp attaching unit mounted in saidpath and including a prong clinching anvil, means for positioning saidanvil in engagement with one panel of the advancing envelope and foradvancing said anvil along at least a portion of said path in engagementwith the one panel, a rotary clasp attaching member supported forrotation about an axis extending transversely of the direction of saidenvelope path, vacuum means for releasably retaining a clasp on saidattaching element, and means for moving said attaching element relativeto said anvil to move said retaining means with the clasp retainedthereon toward said anvil and generally along a portion of said pathwith the envelope and said anvil while said anvil is posiitoned inengagement and advancing with the one panel to cause the prongs of theclasp to penetrate the one panel and clinchingly engage the anvilwhereby to attach the clasp to the one panel by cooperation of the baseand prongs thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Pa nt; No.3,893,381 D d July 8, 1975 Inventor(5) William A. Chapman and John J.Crowley It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line 49, "thee" should be the.

Col. 3, lines 25 and 26, "geneally" should be generally--.

Col. 4, line 48, "evelope" should be envelope-.

Col. 5, line 48, "diection" should be -direction.

Col. 5, line 51, "to advance along" should be --to and ad vanced.

C01. 6, line 66, "can" should be cam-.

Col. 7, line 24, "manufactures" should be -manufacturers.

Col. 7, line 35, "magents" should be magnets.

Col. 8, line 15, "tap" should be -tape.

Col. 8, line 17, preferably" should be -Preferab1y.

Col. 13, line 2, "serving" should be -severing-.

Col. 14, line 18, "posiitoned" should be positioned.

Signed and Scaled this twenty-fourth D3)! 0f February 1976 [SEAL]Attesr:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Allvsting Officer (nmmissiumr ofPaIentsand Trademarks

1. A machine for attaching a fastener including a clasp having a baseand a plurality of attaching prongs to an envelope, said machinecomprising means for continuously advancing an envelope along agenerally predetermined path and a clasp attaching unit mounted in saidpath and including a prong clinching anvil, means for positioning saidanvil in engagement with one panel of the continuously advancingenvelope and for continuously advancing said anvil along at least aportion of said path in engagement with the one panel, a clasp attachingelement supported for movement relative to said anvil, means forreleasably retaining a clasp on said attaching element, and means formoving said attaching element relative to said anvil to move saidretaining means with the clasp retained thereon toward said anvil andgenerally along a portion of said path with the continuously advancingenvelope and anvil while said anvil is positioned in engagement with theone panel to cause the prongs of the clasp to penetrate the one paneland clinchingly engage the anvil whereby to attach the clasp to the onepanel by cooperation of the base and prongs thereof while the envelopeis in motion.
 2. A machine for attaching a fastener to an envelope asset forth in claim 1 wherein the one panel comprises a body panel of theenvelope and said means for positioning said anvil comprises means forinserting said anvil into the envelope and retaining it therein forcontinuous travel for some distance along said predetermined path withthe advancing envelope.
 3. A machine for attaching a fastener to anenvelope as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for inserting saidanvil includes means for conveying said anvil along another pathgenerally parallel to said predetermined path.
 4. A machine forattaching a fastener to an envelope as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidmeans for inserting said anvil includes camming mechanism associatedwith said anvil and said anvil conveying means.
 5. A machine forattaching a fastener to an envelope as set forth in claim 4 wherein saidanvil is supported for movement relative to said anvil conveying meansand said camming mechanism includes a cam mounted in fixed positionrelative to said anvil conveying means and a follower associated withsaid anvil for engaging said cam to move said anvil relative to saidanvil conveying means as said anvil is moved by the latter means.
 6. Amachine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said anvil positioning meansincludes an anvil carrier supported by said anvil conveying means formovement relative thereto and generally transversely of said other pathand said anvil is associated with a free end portion of said anvilcarrier.
 7. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said anvilcomprises an insert releasably retained in said free end portion of saidanvil carrier.
 8. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said claspattaching unit includes anvil supporting means disposed at the oppositeside of said anvil from said attaching element for supporting said freeend portion while said attaching element forces the prongs through theassociated panel and into clenching engagement with said anvil.
 9. Amachine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said anvil supporting means issupported from movement with said anvil and along said envelope pathwhile said attaching element forces the prongs through the associatedpanel and into clenching engagement with said anvil.
 10. A machine asset forth in claim 8 wherein said anvil supporting means comprises aroller support mechanism.
 11. A machine as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid clasp attaching element comprises a rotary member supported forrotation about an axis extending transversely of the direction of saidenvelope path.
 12. A machine as set forth in claim 1 including means forfeeding a clasp to said attaching element.
 13. A machine as set forth inclaim 12 wherein said means for feeding a clasp comprises a feed trackfor successively feeding clasps to said attaching element, a reservechute for containing a supply of clasps and communicating with said feedtrack to supply clasps thereto, a rotary magazine supported above saidreserve chute and having a plurality, of feed stations for containingclasps, and means for coaxially indexing said magazine to successivelyposition each of said feed stations above and in alignment with saidreserve chute to supply clasps thereto.
 14. A machine as set forth inclaim 13 including sensing means for detecting depletion of the supplyof clasps from an associated index station, and means responsive to saidsensing means for indexing said magazine.
 15. A machine as set forth inclaim 1 including means for aligning the clasp in predetermined positionwith said attaching element as said attaching element moves relative tosaid anvil.
 16. A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said meansfor aligning the clasp comprises a brush supported to engage the claspas it moves with said clasp attaching element and toward the one panel.17. A machine as set forth in claim 15 wherein said attaching elementcomprises an attaching wheel and said means for aligning the claspcomprises a pair of transversely spaced alignment guides mounted atopposite sides of the attaching wheel near the peripheral surfacethereof.
 18. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clasp has atleast one retaining tab thereon and the envelope has a closure panelfoldable to a closed position overlying an associated portion of the onepanel and the clasp attached to the one panel, said machine having areinforcing and punching unit mounted thereon in said predetermined pathand including means for applying a patch of reinforcing material to theclosure panel as the envelope is continuously advanced along saidpredetermined path by said advancing means, and Punching means forforming a retaining tab receiving hole through the reinforcing patch andthe one panel as the envelope is continuously advanced along saidpredetermined path by said advancing means.
 19. A machine as set forthin claim 18 wherein said means for applying said patch comprises saidpunching means.
 20. A machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein saidmeans for applying a patch comprises a pair of applicator wheelsgenerally tangent to said predetermined path and journalled for rotationabout parallel axes extending transversely of said path.
 21. A machineas set forth in claim 20 wherein said pair includes a lower applicatorwheel and an upper applicator wheel supported above said lower wheel andin general vertical alignment therewith.
 22. A machine as set forth inclaim 21 wherein said punching means includes a punch mounted on one ofsaid applicator wheels and a die for mating engagement with said punchand mounted on the other of said applicator wheels.
 23. A machine forattaching a fastener including a clasp having a base and a plurality ofattaching prongs to an envelope, said machine comprising means forcontinuously advancing an envelope along a generally predetermined path,and a clasp attaching unit mounted in said path and including a prongclinching anvil, means for positioning said anvil in engagement with onepanel of the advancing envelope and for advancing said anvil along atleast a portion of said path in engagement with the one panel, a rotaryclasp attaching member supported for rotation about an axis extendingtransversly of the direction of said envelope path, means for releasablyretaining a clasp on the peripheral surface of said attaching memberwith the groups of the clasp projecting generally radially outwardlyfrom said attaching member, and means for moving said attaching memberrelative to said anvil to move said retaining means with the claspretained thereon toward said anvil and generally along a portion of saidpath with the envelope and said anvil while said anvil is positioned inengagement and advancing with the one panel to cause the prongs of theclasp to penetrate the one panel and clinchingly engage the anvilwhereby to attach the clasp to the one panel by cooperation of the baseand prongs thereof.
 24. A machine as set forth in claim 23 wherein saidclasp is comprised of magnetic material and said means for releasablyretaining said clasp is further characterized as magnetic means.
 25. Amachine as set forth in claim 13 wherein said magnetic means comprises apermanent magnet mounted in the periphery of said disc.
 26. A machinefor attaching a fastener including a clasp having a base and a pluralityof attaching prongs to an envelope, said machine comprising means forcontinuously advancing an envelope along a generally predetermined path,and a clasp attaching unit mounted in said path and including a prongclinching anvil, means for positioning said anvil in engagement with onepanel of the advancing envelope and for advancing said anvil along atleast a portion of said path in engagement with the one panel, a claspattaching element supported for movement relative to said anvil, meansfor releasably retaining a clasp on said attaching element, means forfeeding a clasp to said attaching element, said feeding means receivingthe clasp with the prongs and the base thereof disposed in a commonplane and including means for bending each of the prongs to a positiongenerally normal to the base thereof before feeding the clasp to saidattaching element, and means for moving said attaching element relativeto said anvil to move said retaining means with the clasp retainedthereon toward said anvil and generally along a portion of said pathwith the envelope and said anvil while said anvil is positioned inengagement and advancing with the one panel to cause the prongs of theclasp to penetrate the one panel and clinchingly engage the anvilwhereby to attach the clasp to the one panel by cooperAtion of the baseand prongs thereof.
 27. A machine as set forth in claim 26 wherein saidclasp attaching element includes means for transferring the clasp fromsaid feeding means to said receiving and releasably retaining means assaid clasp attaching means moves relative to said feeding means.
 28. Amachine as set forth in claim 27 wherein said transferring meanscomprises pin means carried by said clasp attaching element for engagingthe clasp to strip it from said feeding means as said attaching elementmoves relative to said feeding means.
 29. A machine for attaching afastener including a clasp and a reinforcing patch to an envelope, thepatch being cut from an elongated strip of reinforcing material, theenvelope having body panels and a closure panel foldable to a closedposition overlying an associated portion of one of the body panels, theclasp having a base, a plurality of attaching prongs and at least oneretaining tab, said machine comprising means for continuously advancingan envelope along a generally predetermined path, a clasp attaching unitmounted in said path and including a prong clinching anvil, means forpositioning said anvil in engagement with the one body panel of theadvancing envelope and for advancing said anvil along at least a portionof said path in engagement with the one panel, a clasp attaching elementsupported for movement relative to said anvil, means for releasablyretaining a clasp on said attaching element, means for moving saidattaching element relative to said anvil to move said retaining meanswith the clasp retained thereon toward said anvil and generally along aportion of said path with the envelope and said anvil while said anvilis positioned in engagement and advancing with the one panel to causethe prongs of the clasp to penetrate the one panel and clinchinglyengage the anvil whereby to attach the clasp to the one panel bycooperation of the base and prongs thereof, and a reinforcing andpunching unit for applying the patch to the closure panel and forming atab retaining hole through the patch and the closure panel as theenvelope is continuously advanced along said predetermined path by saidadvancing means and including one applicator wheel journalled forrotation about an axis extending transversely of said path and generallytangent to said path, said reinforcing and punching unit including meansfor feeding a leading end portion of the strip onto said one applicatorwheel, means for releasably retaining the leading end portion on saidone applicator wheel, and means for serving the patch from the leadingend portion as said one applicator wheel rotates about its axis andrelative to said path, said reinforcing and punching unit includingpunching means for forming the tab retaining hole.
 30. A machine as setforth in claim 29 wherein said means for releasably retaining saidleading end portion comprises vacuum means.
 31. A machine as set forthin claim 29 wherein said feed means comprises means for feeding saidleading end portion onto the peripheral surface of said one wheel at alinear speed substantially less than the peripheral speed of said onewheel.
 32. A machine as set forth in claim 31 wherein said peripheralspeed is substantially equal to the linear speed of said advancingmeans.
 33. A machine as set forth in claim 29 wherein said severingmeans comprises a rotary cutter journalled for rotation about an axisparallel to the axis of said one wheel to cooperate in shearingengagement with said one wheel.
 34. A machine for attaching a fastenerincluding a clasp having a base and a plurality of attaching prongs toan envelope, said machine comprising means for continuously advancing anenvelope along a generally predetermined path, and a clasp attachingunit mounted in said path and including a prong clinching anvil, meansfor positioning said anvil in engagement with one panel of the advancingenvelope and for advancing said anvil along at least a portion of saidpath in engaGement with the one panel, a rotary clasp attaching membersupported for rotation about an axis extending transversely of thedirection of said envelope path, vacuum means for releasably retaining aclasp on said attaching element, and means for moving said attachingelement relative to said anvil to move said retaining means with theclasp retained thereon toward said anvil and generally along a portionof said path with the envelope and said anvil while said anvil isposiitoned in engagement and advancing with the one panel to cause theprongs of the clasp to penetrate the one panel and clinchingly engagethe anvil whereby to attach the clasp to the one panel by cooperation ofthe base and prongs thereof.